Script

Question Period

Question Period allows the opposition to ask for information and question the Government on any matter that it feels is in the public interest. Thirty minutes is allowed for Question Period in the Senate. Question Period in the House of Commons is 45 minutes long.

Key Players

Senate: Speaker, Government Leader, senators
House of Commons: Speaker, Leader of the Official Opposition, Prime Minister, MPs, Cabinet ministers

Simulation

Senate:

Speaker: "Question Period."; [At this point, any senator wishing to ask a question stands and makes sure that he or she has caught the Speaker's eye. After the Government Leader responds, the senator who has asked the question can ask one follow-up question if he or she wishes.]
Speaker: "Senator (surname)."; [Those senators not selected sit, while the senator chosen remains standing.]
Senator: [Stand.] "Honourable Senators, I would like the Government Leader to explain the Prime Minister's recent statement. Last week, we were told that ... Why is there ...?" [Sit.]
Speaker: "Senator (surname of the Government Leader)."
Government Leader: [Stand.] "Honourable Senators, Senator (surname of questioner) knows very well that ..." [Sit.]
Speaker: "Senator (surname of questioner)."
Senator: [Stand.] "Honourable Senators, we are still not getting a full answer. How can Senator (surname of Government Leader) say ...?" [Sit.]
Speaker: "Senator (surname of Government Leader)."
Government Leader: [Stand.] "Honourable Senators, we are very sure that ..." [Sit.]
Senators: [Those not yet chosen stand to be recognized.]
Speaker: "Senator (surname)."
Senator: [Stand.] "Honourable Senators, yesterday the Minister for ... was quoted in the press as saying that the Government is going to ... Can the Government Leader explain how the Government is going to ...?" [Sit.]
Speaker: "Senator (surname of Government Leader)."
Government Leader: [Stand.] "Honourable Senators, I am pleased to inform the Honourable Senator that the Government has ..." [Sit.]; [All questions follow a similar format.]

House of Commons:

Speaker: "Question Period. The Honourable Leader of the Opposition."
Leader of the Official Opposition: [Stand.] "Mr./Madam Speaker, I would like the Prime Minister to explain his recent statement. Last week, we were told that ... Why is there ...?" [Sit.]
Speaker: "The Right Honourable Prime Minister."
Prime Minister: [Stand.] "Mr./Madam Speaker, the Leader of the Opposition knows very well that ..." [Sit.]
Speaker: "The Honourable Leader of the Opposition."
Leader of the Official Opposition: [Stand.] "Mr./Madam Speaker, we are still not getting a full answer. How can the Prime Minister say ...?" [Sit.]
Speaker: "The Right Honourable Prime Minister."
Prime Minister: [Stand.] "Mr./Madam Speaker, we are very sure that ..." [Sit.]; [Once the exchange between the Leader of the Official Opposition and the Prime Minister is complete, the other MPs who wish to ask a question stand to let the Speaker know they wish to speak.]
Speaker: "The Honourable Member for (name of riding)."; [Those MPs not selected sit, while the MP chosen remains standing.]
MP: [Stand.] "Mr./Madam Speaker, yesterday we learned that ... Can the Minister of (name of Cabinet position) explain how the Government is going to ...?" [Sit.]
Speaker: "The Honourable Minister of (name of Cabinet position)."
Cabinet Minister: [Stand.] "Mr./Madam Speaker, I am pleased to inform the Honourable Member for (name of riding) that the Government has ..." [Sit.]; [Most questions follow a similar format – a short statement or explanation about the question, and then the question itself.]

NB: Senators may address each other directly (generally with “Honourable Senators” or “Senator”), while members of the House of Commons must address each other via the Speaker (generally with “Mister/Madam Speaker” and the riding of the member they wish to address).